Integrated circuits and methods of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit includes a fin active region protruding from a substrate, a plurality of semiconductor patterns on an upper surface of the fin active region, a gate electrode that surrounds the plurality of semiconductor patterns and includes a main gate part on an uppermost one of the plurality of semiconductor patterns and sub gate parts between the plurality of semiconductor patterns, a spacer structure on a sidewall of the main gate part, and a source/drain region at a side of the gate electrode. The source/drain region is connected to the plurality of semiconductor patterns and contacts a bottom surface of the spacer structure. A top portion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern has a first width. A bottom portion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern has a second width smaller than the first width.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2019-0071768 filed on Jun. 17, 2019 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to integratedcircuits and methods of manufacturing the same, and more specifically,to integrated circuits including multi-gate structure transistors andmethods of manufacturing the same.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Due to development of electronic techniques integrated circuits arehighly integrated and are down-scaled. As the integrated circuits aredown-scaled, reliability of the integrated circuits are lowered byoccurrence of a short channel effect. To reduce the short channeleffect, multi-gate integrated circuits such as nanosheet transistorshave been proposed.

SUMMARY

According to example embodiments, an integrated circuit may include asubstrate, a fin active region protruding from the substrate andextending in a first direction, a plurality of semiconductor patterns onan upper surface of the fin active region, a gate electrode surroundingthe plurality of semiconductor patterns and extending in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction, the gate electrodeincluding a main gate part and a plurality of sub gate parts, the maingate part disposed on an uppermost one of the plurality of semiconductorpatterns, each of the plurality of sub gate parts between twocorresponding patterns among the plurality of semiconductor patterns, aspacer structure on a sidewall of the main gate part, and a source/drainregion disposed at a side of the gate electrode and connected to theplurality of semiconductor patterns, the source/drain region contactinga bottom surface of the spacer structure. A top portion of the uppermostsemiconductor pattern may have a first width in the first direction. Abottom portion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern may have a secondwidth smaller than the first width in the first direction. The main gatepart may include a bottom portion having a sloped sidewall.

According to example embodiments, an integrated circuit may include asubstrate, a fin active region protruding from the substrate andextending in a first direction, a plurality of semiconductor patterns onan upper surface of the fin active region, a gate electrode surroundingthe plurality of semiconductor patterns and extending in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction, the gate electrodeincluding a main gate part and a plurality of sub gate parts, the maingate part disposed on an uppermost one of the plurality of semiconductorpatterns, each of the plurality of sub gate parts disposed between twocorresponding patterns among the plurality of semiconductor patterns, aspacer structure on a sidewall of the main gate part, and a source/drainregion disposed at a side of the gate electrode and connected to theplurality of semiconductor patterns, the source/drain region contactinga bottom surface of the spacer structure. A top portion of the uppermostsemiconductor pattern may have a first width in the first direction. Abottom portion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern may have a secondwidth smaller than the first width in the first direction. A bottomportion of the main gate part may have a third width in the firstdirection. An intermediate portion of the main gate part may have afourth width different from the third width in first direction.

According to example embodiments, an integrated circuit may include asubstrate, a fin active region protruding from the substrate, aplurality of semiconductor patterns on an upper surface of the finactive region, each of the plurality of semiconductor patterns includinga channel region, a gate electrode surrounding the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns and including a main gate part and a plurality ofsub gate parts, the main gate part disposed on an uppermost one of theplurality of semiconductor patterns, each of the plurality of sub gateparts disposed between two corresponding patterns among the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns, a spacer structure on a sidewall of the maingate part, and a source/drain region at a side of the gate electrode andconnected to the plurality of semiconductor patterns, the source/drainregion contacting a bottom surface of the spacer structure. A bottomportion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern may be wider than a topportion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern. At least a portion ofthe main gate part may be sloped. The sidewall of the main gate part maybe at least partially vertically overlapped with the spacer structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a layout view illustrating an integrated circuit according toexample embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B1-B1′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of portion CX1 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated circuitaccording to example embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated circuitaccording to example embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated circuitaccording to example embodiments.

FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11, 12, 13, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B,17A, and 17B are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit according to example embodiments.FIGS. 8, 9A, 10A, 11, 12, 13, 14A, 15A, 16A, and 17A are cross-sectionalviews taken along line A1-A1′ of FIG. 1. FIGS. 9B, 10B, 16B, 17B arecross-sectional views taken along line B1-B1′ of FIG. 1. FIGS. 14B and15B are horizontal sectional views at a first vertical level LV1 ofFIGS. 14A and 15B.

FIGS. 18, 19A, and 19B are cross-sectional views illustrating a methodof manufacturing an integrated circuit according to example embodiments.FIGS. 18 and 19A are cross-sectional views taken along line A1-A1′ ofFIG. 1. FIG. 19B is a horizontal sectional view at a first verticallevel LV1 of FIG. 19A.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit according to example embodiments.

FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit according to example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals mayrefer to like elements throughout this application.

FIG. 1 is a layout view illustrating an integrated circuit according toexample embodiments. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineA1-A1′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineB1-B1′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of portion CX1 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, in an integrated circuit 100 according toexample embodiments, a substrate 110 may include a fin active region FAin a device region DR. The fin active region FA may be used to form atransistor TR, for example, an NMOS transistor or a PMOS transistor.

The substrate 110 may include a semiconductor material, such as Si orGe, or a compound semiconductor material, such as SiGe, SiC, GaAs, InAs,or InP. In some embodiments, the substrate 110 may include a group III-Vmaterial and/or a group IV material. The group III-V material may be abinary or ternary, or quaternary compound including at least one groupIII material and a least one group V material. The group III-V materialmay include a compound including at least one element of In, Ga, and Alas the Group III material and including at least one element of As, P,and Sb as the group V material. For example, the group III-V materialmay include at least one of InP, InzGa_(1-z)As (0≤z≤1), andAlzGa_(1-z)As (0≤z≤1). The binary compound may be, for example, one ofInP, GaAs, InAs, InSb, and GaSb. The ternary compound may be, forexample, one of InGaP, InGaAs, AlInAs, InGaSb, GaAsSb, and GaAsP. Thegroup IV material may be Si or Ge. However, the group III-V material andthe group IV material are not limited to those described above.

In some embodiments, the group III-V material and the group IV materialsuch as Ge may be used as a channel material for fabricating a low powerand high speed transistor. A high performance CMOS transistor may beformed by using a semiconductor substrate including the group III-Vmaterial, for example, GaAs, having higher electron mobility than asilicon substrate, and a semiconductor substrate including asemiconductor material, such as Ge, having a higher hole mobility thanthe silicon substrate. In some embodiments, when the NMOS transistor isformed on the substrate 110, the substrate 110 may include one of thegroup III-V materials described above. In some embodiments, when thePMOS transistor is formed on the substrate 110, at least a portion ofthe substrate 110 may include Ge. In some embodiments, the substrate 110may have a silicon on insulator (SOI) structure. The substrate 110 mayinclude a conductive region, such as an impurity doped well or andimpurity doped structure.

The fin active region FA may extend in a first direction X, and mayprotrude in a third direction Z from an upper surface 110M of thesubstrate 110. The first direction may be parallel to the upper surface110M of the substrate 110. The third direction may be perpendicular tothe upper surface 110M of the substrate 110. A device isolation trench114T may be formed in the substrate 110 to define the fin active regionFA. A device isolation layer 114 may be disposed in the device isolationtrench 114T. In some embodiments, the device isolation layer 114 mayinclude a device isolation liner conformally formed on an inner surfaceof the device isolation trench 114T and a gap fill insulation layerdisposed on the device isolation liner and filling the device isolationtrench 114T. An upper surface of the device isolation layer 114 may belocated at the same level as an upper surface of the fin active regionFA. In some embodiments, the upper surface of the device isolation layer114 may be located at a lower level than the upper surface of the finactive region FA, such that lower sidewalls of the fin active region FAmay be covered by the device isolation layer 114. The device isolationliner and the gap fill insulation layer may include silicon oxide,silicon nitride, or a combination thereof.

A plurality of semiconductor patterns NS may be disposed on the finactive region FA to be vertically spaced apart from the upper surface110M of the substrate 110. The plurality of semiconductor patterns NSmay include the same material as the substrate 110. For example, theplurality of the semiconductor patterns NS may include a semiconductormaterial, such as Si or Ge. or a compound semiconductor material, suchas SiGe, SiC, GaAs, InAs, or InP. Each of the plurality of semiconductorpatterns NS may include a channel region.

The plurality of semiconductor patterns NS may include a firstsemiconductor pattern NS1, a semiconductor pattern NS2, and a thirdsemiconductor pattern NS3 that are sequentially stacked on the uppersurface 110M of the substrate 110. Each of the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns NS may have a relatively large width in a seconddirection Y and a relatively small thickness in the third direction Z.Each of the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS may have a nanosheetshape, for example. The second direction Y may be parallel to the uppersurface 110M of the substrate 110 and perpendicular to the firstdirection X. For example, the first semiconductor pattern NS1 may have afirst thickness t11 of about 1 nm to 10 nm, the second semiconductorpattern NS2 may have a second thickness t12 of about 1 nm to 10 nm, andthe third semiconductor pattern NS3 may have a third thickness t13 ofabout 1 nm to 20 nm. As shown in FIG. 3, the third thickness t13 of thethird semiconductor pattern NS3 may be greater than the first thicknesst11 of the first semiconductor pattern NS1 and the second thickness t12of the second semiconductor pattern NS2, but embodiments are not limitedthereto. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of the semiconductorpatterns NS may have a width of about 5 nm to 100 nm in the firstdirection X or the second direction Y, but embodiments are not limitedthereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS may bespaced apart from each other. However, embodiments are not limitedthereto. For example, spacing distances between the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns NS may be different from each other. The numberof the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS may be limited to thatshown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

A gate electrode 120 may extend in the fin active region FA in thesecond direction Y. The gate electrode 120 may surround the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns NS and may extend on the fin active region FA andthe device isolation layer 114.

The gate electrode 120 may include a main gate part 120M and a pluralityof sub gate parts 120S. The main gate part 120M may cover an uppermostsemiconductor pattern NS (e.g., an upper surface of the thirdsemiconductor pattern NS3). The plurality of sub gate parts 120S mayrespectively be disposed between the fin active region FA and alowermost semiconductor pattern NS and between the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns NS. For example, the plurality of sub gate parts120S may be respectively disposed between the fin active region FA andthe first semiconductor pattern NS1, between the first semiconductorpattern NS1 and the second semiconductor pattern NS2, and between thesecond semiconductor pattern NS2 and the third semiconductor patternNS3. The main gate part 120M may be disposed on the upper surface of thethird semiconductor pattern NS3 and the device isolation layer 114, andmay be connected to the plurality of sub gate parts 120S.

The main gate part 120M have a sloped sidewall 120SI that is inclinedalong the third direction Z (or that is not perpendicular to the uppersurface 110M of the substrate 110) at a bottom portion of the main gatepart 120M. A sidewall 120SW of the main gate part 120M may include thesloped sidewall 120SI that extends to a predetermined height from abottom surface of the main gate part 120M. For example, a height of thesloped sidewall 120SI of the main gate part 120M in the third directionZ may be about 1% to 20% of a height of the main gate part 120M on theuppermost semiconductor pattern NS.

The gate electrode 120 may include a work function conductive layer anda buried conductive layer. The work function conductive layer may bedisposed on the upper surface of the plurality of semiconductor patternsNS, and the buried conductive layer may be disposed on the work functionconductive layer. In some embodiments, the work function conductivelayer may include Al, Cu, Ti, Ta, W, Mo, TaN, NiSi, CoSi, TiN, WN, TiAl,TiAlC, TiAlN, TaCN, TaC, TaSiN, or a combination thereof, butembodiments are not limited thereto. The buried conductive layer mayinclude Al, Cu, Ti, Ta, W, Mo, TaN, NiSi, CoSi, TiN, WN, TiAl, TiAlC,TiAlN, TaCN, TaC, TaSiN, or a combination thereof. However, embodimentsare not limited thereto.

A gate insulation layer 128 may be disposed between the gate electrode120 and each of the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS. The gateinsulation layer 128 may be conformally disposed on surfaces of theplurality of semiconductor patterns NS. The gate insulation layer 128may be disposed on the upper surface of the fin active region FA, andmay extend onto the device isolation layer 114.

In some embodiments, the gate insulation layer 128 may have a stackstructure of an interfacial layer and a high dielectric layer. Theinterfacial layer may function to cure interfacial defects between thehigh dielectric layer and surfaces of the plurality of the semiconductorpatterns NS and between the high dielectric layer and the upper surfaceof the fin active region FA.

The interfacial layer may include a low dielectric material having adielectric constant of about 9 or less, for example, silicon oxide,silicon oxynitride, germanium oxide, gallium oxide, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the interfacial layer may includesilicate, a combination of silicate and silicon oxide, or a combinationof silicate and silicon oxynitride. In some embodiments, the interfaciallayer may be omitted.

The high dielectric layer may include a material having a higherdielectric constant than that of silicon oxide. For example, the highdielectric layer may have a dielectric constant of about 10 to 25. Thehigh dielectric layer may include, for example, hafnium oxide, hafniumoxynitride, hafnium silicon oxide, lanthanum oxide, lanthanum aluminumoxide, zirconium oxide, zirconium silicon oxide, tantalum oxide,titanium oxide, barium strontium titanium oxide, barium titanium oxide,strontium titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, aluminum oxide, lead scandiumtantalum oxide, lead zinc niobate, or a combination thereof, butembodiments are not limited thereto. The high dielectric layer may beformed by atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition(CVD), or physical vapor deposition (PVD). The high dielectric layer mayhave a thickness of about 10˜40 Å, but embodiments are not limitedthereto.

A spacer structure 130 may be disposed on each of opposite sidewalls ofthe gate electrode 120. The gate insulation layer 128 may be interposedbetween the gate electrode 120 and the spacer structure 130. The spacerstructure 130 may include a first spacer 132 and a second spacer 134that are sequentially disposed on the sidewall 120SW of the main gatepart 120M.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first spacer 132 may be conformally disposed onthe sidewall 120SW of the main gate part 120M and on the thirdsemiconductor pattern NS3 adjacent to the main gate part 120M. A bottomportion of the first spacer 132 may extend in a horizontal direction(e.g., the first direction X) on the upper surface of the thirdsemiconductor pattern NS3, and may be disposed between the second spacer134 and the third semiconductor pattern NS3. The first and secondspacers 132 and 134 may include silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride,but are not limited thereto.

A recess region RS1 may be formed in the fin active region FA at each ofopposite sides of the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS. Asource/drain region 140 may fill the recess region RS1. The source/drainregion 140 may be connected to one ends of the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns NS.

The source/drain region 140 may include a first semiconductor layer 142,a second semiconductor layer 144, a third semiconductor layer 146, and afourth semiconductor layer 148 that are sequentially stacked on an innersurface of the recess region RS1. The first to fourth semiconductorlayers 142, 144, 146, and 148 may be grown from the fin active region FAand the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS by a selective epitaxialgrowth (SEG) process.

In some embodiments, the first semiconductor layer 142 may be formed toa predetermined thickness in the inner surface of the recess region RS1,and may contact the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS. The secondsemiconductor layer 144 may be conformally formed to a relatively smallthickness on the first semiconductor layer 142. The third semiconductorlayer 146 may be formed to fill a lower portion of the recess regionRS1. The fourth semiconductor layer 148 may be formed on the thirdsemiconductor layer 146 and the second semiconductor layer 144 to fillan upper portion of the recess region RS1. A portion of an upper surfaceof the fourth semiconductor layer 148 may contact a bottom surface ofthe spacer structure 130. Another portion of the upper surface of thefourth semiconductor layer 148 may protrude to a higher level than thebottom surface of the spacer structure 130. Thus, the fourthsemiconductor layer 148 may fill the upper portion of the recess regionRS1, and an edge portion of the fourth semiconductor layer 148 mayextend below the spacer structure 130 to be overlapped with the spacerstructure 130.

The first to fourth semiconductor layers 142, 144, 146, and 148 mayinclude at least one of an epitaxial Si layer, an epitaxial SiGe layer,an epitaxial SiP layer. In some embodiments, all the first to fourthsemiconductor layers 142, 144, 146, and 148 may include a Si layer, andimpurity concentrations of the first to fourth semiconductor layers 142,144, 146, and 148 may be different from each other. In some embodiments,all the first to fourth semiconductor layers 142, 144, 146, and 148 mayinclude a SiGe layer, and Ge contents of the first to fourthsemiconductor layers 142, 144, 146, and 148 may be different from eachother. In some embodiments, at least one of the first to fourthsemiconductor layers 142, 144, 146, and 148 may include a Si layer, andat least another one of the first to fourth semiconductor layers 142,144, 146, and 148 may include a SiGe layer. However, embodiments are notlimited thereto. In some embodiments, at least one of the first tofourth semiconductor layers 142, 144, 146, and 148 may be omitted. Insome embodiments, at least one additional semiconductor layer may beformed between adjacent two layers of the first to fourth semiconductorlayers 142, 144, 146, and 148.

As shown in FIG. 4, the recess region RS1 may have a greater width at anintermediate portion than at an upper portion. Thus, a width of thesource/drain region 140 in the recess region RS1 may be greater at anuppermost portion than at an intermediate portion, such that at least aportion of the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS contacting thesource/drain region 140 may have a sloped sidewall.

The source/drain region 140 may have a sloped sidewall, and thus theuppermost semiconductor pattern NS (or the third semiconductor patternNS3) may have a pair of sloped sidewalls NSSW conforming to a profile ofthe sloped sidewall of the source/drain region 140. For example, each ofthe pair of sloped sidewalls NSSW may contact the first semiconductorlayer 142 of the source/drain region 140. A top portion of the uppermostsemiconductor pattern NS (or the third semiconductor pattern NS3) mayhave a first width W11 in the first direction X, and a bottom portion ofthe uppermost semiconductor pattern NS (or the third semiconductorpattern NS3) may have a second width W12 smaller than the first width inthe first direction X.

The uppermost semiconductor pattern (or the third semiconductor patternNS3) may include a tail portion NSTL adjacent to (or below) the spacerstructure 130 at each of opposite edge portions thereof in the firstdirection X. The tail portion NSTL may indicate a portion of theuppermost semiconductor pattern NS (or the third semiconductor patternNS3) vertically overlapped with the spacer structure 130. The tailportion NSTL may project outward in the first direction X with respectto the sidewall 120SW of the main gate part 120M. For example, an edgeof the tail portion NSTL may be disposed spaced apart from the sidewall120SW in the first direction X. As a portion of the plurality of thesemiconductor patterns NS include the tail portion NSTL, a portion ofthe plurality of semiconductor patterns NS may have a reversetrapezoidal shape. The tail portion NSTL may be disposed inward withrespect to an outer sidewall of the spacer structure 130 (e.g., onesidewall of the spacer structure 130 opposite to another sidewall of thespacer structure 130 contacting the main gate part 120M), and may bedisposed spaced apart from the outer sidewall of the spacer structure130 in the first direction X.

The bottom portion of the main gate part 120M may have a third width W21in the first direction X, and an intermediate portion of the main gatepart 120M may have a fourth width W22 greater than the third width W21in the first direction X. The first spacer 132 may fill a space definedby the sloped sidewall 120SI of the bottom portion of the main gate part120M and the upper surface of the uppermost semiconductor pattern NS (orthe third semiconductor pattern NS3). For example, the first spacer 132may include a protrusion 132P at the bottom portion of the first spacer132, and the protrusion 132P may fill the space defined by the slopedsidewall 120SI of the bottom portion of the main gate part 120M and theupper surface of the uppermost semiconductor pattern NS (or the thirdsemiconductor pattern NS3). The gate insulation layer 128 may beinterposed between the sloped sidewall 120SI of the main gate part 120Mand the protrusion 132P of the first spacer 132. The sloped sidewall120SI of the main gate part 120M may vertically overlapped with aportion of the spacer structure 130, e.g., the protrusion 132P of thefirst spacer 132.

As described above, the uppermost semiconductor pattern NS (e.g., thethird semiconductor pattern NS3) may have a reverse trapezoidal shape.The first width W11 of the top portion of the uppermost semiconductorpattern NS (or the third semiconductor pattern NS3) may be greater thanthe third width W21 of the bottom portion of the main gate part 120M.Since the protrusion 132P of the first spacer 132 is disposed betweenthe bottom portion of the main gate part 120M and the source/drainregion 140, the spacing distance between the source/drain region 140 andthe main gate part 120M may be relatively increased compared to astructure in which the main gate part 120M has a vertical sidewall at abottom portion thereof. Accordingly, a leakage current between thesource/drain region 140 and the main gate part 120M may be prevented orreduced. In addition, in a process of forming the source/drain region140 or a process of removing a dummy gate structure (see DG of FIG. 15A)and forming the gate electrode 120, a process defect, such as anundesired connection between the dummy gate structure DG and thesource/drain region 140 or between the gate electrode 120 and thesource/drain region 140, may be prevented.

A gate insulation liner 152 and an inter-gate insulation layer 154 maybe sequentially disposed on a sidewall of the spacer structure 130, thesource/drain region 140, and the device isolation layer 114. An upperinsulation layer 162 may be disposed on the gate electrode 120 and theinter-gate insulation layer 154. A contact plug 166 may be disposed in acontact hole 166H that penetrates the upper insulation layer 162 andexposes an upper surface of the source/drain region 140. A metalsilicide layer 168 may be disposed between the contact plug 166 and thesource/drain region 140. For example, the metal silicide layer 168 mayinclude titanium silicide or cobalt silicide, but is not limitedthereto.

Although not shown in the drawings, vias and interconnection layers maybe disposed on the upper insulation layer 162 to be connected thecontact plug 166 and the gate electrode 120.

In general, the dummy gate structure (see DG of FIG. 15A) may be formedon the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS, the recess region RS1 maybe formed by removing portions of the semiconductor patterns NS at eachof opposite sides of the dummy gate structure DG, and the source/drainregion 140 may be formed in the recess region RS1. However, since aspacing distance between the recess region RS1 and the dummy gatestructure DG may be relatively small at an edge portion of thesemiconductor patterns NS, a process defect, such as an undesiredconnection between the dummy gate structure DG and the source/drainregion 140 or between the gate electrode 120 and the source/drain region140, may be generated. Accordingly, a leakage current may be generatedbetween the gate electrode 120 and the source/drain region 140

According to example embodiments, a portion of the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns NS may have the reverse trapezoidal shape, andthe uppermost semiconductor pattern NS may have a tail portion NSTL ateach of opposite edges thereof. Thus, a relatively great spacingdistance between the source/drain region 140 and the dummy gatestructure DG or the source/drain region 140 and the gate electrode 120may be obtained, such that the process defect, such as an undesiredconnection between the dummy gate structure DG and the source/drainregion 140 or between the gate electrode 120 and the source/drain region140, may be prevented. Accordingly, a leakage current between thesource/drain region 140 and the main gate part 120M may be prevented orreduced.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated circuitaccording to example embodiments. In FIG. 5, the same numerals are usedto denote the same elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an integrated circuit 100A according to exampleembodiments, a spacer structure 130A may include a first spacer 132A anda second spacer 134A that are sequentially disposed on a sidewall of thegate electrode 120. A bottom portion of the first spacer 132A and abottom portion of the second spacer 134A may extend in the horizontaldirection on an upper surface of the plurality of semiconductor patternsNS. The second spacer 134A may include a lateral extension 134W thatextends outward from a sidewall of the first spacer 132A. The bottomportion of the first spacer 132A may be interposed between the lateralextension 134W and the uppermost semiconductor pattern NS (the thirdsemiconductor pattern NS3). The lateral extension 134W may be verticallyoverlapped with the tail portion NSTL of the uppermost semiconductorpattern NS (or the third semiconductor pattern NS3).

As the lateral extension 134W is disposed over the upper surface of theuppermost semiconductor pattern NS, in a process of etching thesemiconductor patterns NS to form a recess region RS1A, the uppersurface of the uppermost semiconductor pattern NS may be covered by thespacer structure 130A, and thus the uppermost semiconductor pattern NSmay have a sloped sidewall NSSW tilted at a relatively large angle. Aspacing distance between a source/drain region 140A and the main gatepart 120M may be relatively large.

A first width W11A of the top portion of the uppermost semiconductorpattern NS in the first direction X may be greater than a second widthW12A of the bottom portion of the uppermost semiconductor patterns NS inthe first direction X. For example, the first width W11A of the topportion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern NS in the first directionX may be greater than the first width W11 of the top portion of theuppermost semiconductor pattern NS described with reference to FIGS. 1to 4, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

In a manufacturing process according to example embodiments, a firstspacer layer (see 132L of FIG. 18), a second spacer layer (see 134L ofFIG. 18), and a cover spacer layer (see 136LA of FIG. 18) may be formedon the dummy gate structure (see DG of FIG. 18), and an anisotropicetching process may be performed on the first spacer layer 132L, thesecond spacer layer 134L, and the cover spacer layer 136LA to form thespacer structure 130A. When the cover spacer layer 136LA has arelatively great thickness, a portion of the second spacer layer 134Lextending in the horizontal direction from the dummy gate structure (seeDG of FIG. 18) on the plurality of the semiconductor patterns NS may berelatively less etched due to the cover spacer layer 136LA in theanisotropic etching process, such that the lateral extension 134W mayremain.

According to the integrated circuit 100A, since a spacing distancebetween the source/drain region 140A and the main gate part 120M isrelatively great, a leakage current between the source/drain region 140Aand the main gate part 120M may be prevented or reduced. A processdefect, such as an undesired connection between the dummy gate structureDG and the source/drain region 140 or between the gate electrode 120 andthe source/drain region 140, may be prevented.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated circuitaccording to example embodiments. In FIG. 6, the same numerals are usedto denote the same elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, in an integrated circuit 100B according to exampleembodiments, a bottom portion of a main gate part 120MB may have a thirdwidth W21B, and an intermediate portion of the main gate part 120MB mayhave a fourth width W22B smaller than the third width W21B. The bottomportion of the main gate part 120MB may have a sloped sidewall 120SIB.The sloped sidewall 120SIB may have a positive slope (or may downwardlyand outwardly extend). A portion of the main gate part 120MB adjacent tothe sloped sidewall 120SIB of the main gate part 120MB may refer to aprotrusion 120MP. The protrusion 120MP of the main gate part 120MB mayprotrude outward toward a spacer structure 130B at the bottom portion ofthe main gate part 120MB.

A spacer structure 130B may include a first spacer 132B and a secondspacer 134B. A portion of the first spacer 132B adjacent to theprotrusion 120MP of the main gate part 120MB may have a relatively thinthickness.

In a manufacturing process according to example embodiments, an etchingprocess may be performed on a sidewall (see DGI_OS of FIG. 10A) of adummy gate insulation layer (see DGI of FIG. 10A) under the dummy gatestructure (see DG of FIG. 10), such that the dummy gate insulation layer(see DGI of FIG. 11) is formed to have a recessed sidewall (see DGI_ISof FIG. 11). Thereafter, the spacer structure (see 130 of FIG. 13) maybe formed on the dummy gate structure (see DG of FIG. 13). In addition,the recess region RS1 may be formed at each of opposite sides of thedummy gate structure DG, and a source/drain region 140B may be formed inthe recess region RS1. After a process of removing the dummy gatestructure DG is performed, a portion of a bottom portion of the firstspacer 132B on an upper surface of the exposed semiconductor pattern NSmay be removed. In this case, since a spacing distance between the dummygate structure DG and the source/drain region 140 is relatively great,the source/drain region 140 may be prevented from being exposed to anetching environment, in the removal process of the dummy gate structureDG.

The source/drain region 140B may include a first semiconductor layer142B, a second semiconductor layer 144B, a third semiconductor layer146B, and a fourth semiconductor layer 148B that are sequentiallydisposed in the recess region RS1. The first semiconductor layer 142Bmay have a relatively great thickness. An upper surface of the firstsemiconductor layer 142B may contact a bottom surface of the spacerstructure 130B.

In some embodiments, all the first, second, third, fourth semiconductorlayers 142B, 144B, 146B, and 148B may include a Si layer, impurityconcentrations of the first to fourth semiconductor layers 142B, 144B,146B, and 148B may differ from each other. In some embodiments, all thefirst to fourth semiconductor layers 142B, 144B, 146B, and 148B mayinclude a SiGe layer, and Ge contents of the first to fourthsemiconductor layers 142B, 144B, 146B, and 148B may be different fromeach other. For example, the first semiconductor layer 142B may have arelatively low impurity concentration or a relatively low Ge content,and the third semiconductor layer 146B and the fourth semiconductorlayer 148B may have a relatively high impurity concentration or arelatively high Ge content. In this case, a spacing distance between thethird semiconductor layer 146B and the main gate part 120MB or betweenthe fourth semiconductor layer 148B and the main gate part 120MB may berelatively great, and a leakage current between the source/drain region140B (e.g., the third semiconductor layer 146B and the fourthsemiconductor layer 148B of the source/drain region 140B) and the maingate part 120M may be prevented or reduced.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an integrated circuitaccording to example embodiments. In FIG. 7, the same numerals are usedto denote the same elements shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring to FIG. 7, in an integrated circuit 100C according to exampleembodiments, an inner spacer 172 may be disposed between thesource/drain region 140 and the gate electrode 120. The inner spacer 172may be disposed between each of a plurality of sub gate parts 120S andthe source/drain region 140, and the gate insulation layer 128 may bedisposed between each of the plurality of sub gate parts 120S and theinner spacer 172. For example, the inner spacer 172 may include siliconnitride or silicon oxynitride.

In the integrated circuit 100C according to example embodiments, since aspacing distance between the source/drain region 140 and the main gatepart 120M is relatively great, a leakage current between thesource/drain region 140 and the main gate part 120M may be prevented orreduced.

FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11, 12, 13, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B,17A, and 17B are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit according to example embodiments.FIGS. 8, 9A, 10A, 11, 12, 13, 14A, 15A, 16A, and 17A are cross-sectionalviews taken along line A1-A1′ of FIG. 1. FIGS. 9B, 10B, 16B, 17B arecross-sectional views taken along line B1-B1′ of FIG. 1. FIGS. 14B and15B are horizontal sectional views at a first vertical level LV1 ofFIGS. 14A and 15B.

Referring to FIG. 8, sacrificial layers 210 and channel semiconductorlayers PNS may be repeatedly and alternately formed on the upper surface110M of the substrate 110 to form a sacrificial stack 210S. Thesacrificial layers 210 and the channel semiconductor layers PNS may beformed by an epitaxial process.

In some embodiments, the sacrificial layers 210 and the channelsemiconductor layers PNS may be formed of materials having differentetch selectivities. For example, the sacrificial layers 210 and thechannel semiconductor layers PNS may be formed of a group IVsemiconductor single crystal layer, a group IV-IV compound semiconductorsingle crystal layer, or a group III-V compound semiconductor singlecrystal layer. For example, the sacrificial layers 210 may be formed ofa different material form the channel semiconductor layers PNS. In someembodiments, the sacrificial layers 210 may be formed of silicongermanium (SiGe), and the channel semiconductor layers PNS may be formedof crystal silicon.

In some embodiments, the epitaxial process may include a chemical vapordeposition (CVD) process, such as vapor-phase epitaxy (VPE), orultra-high vacuum CVD (UHV-CVD), a molecular beam epitaxy, or acombination thereof. In the above epitaxial process, a liquid or vaporprecursor may be used to form the sacrificial layers 210 and the channelsemiconductor layers PNS.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, after a hard mask pattern extending in thefirst direction X to a predetermined length is formed on an uppermostone of the channel semiconductor layers PNS, the sacrificial layers 210,the channel semiconductor layers PNS, and the substrate 110 may beetched using the hard mask pattern as an etch mask to form a sacrificialpattern 210P and a device isolation trench 114T.

After the device isolation trench 114T is filled with an insulatingmaterial, the insulating material may be planarized to form the deviceisolation layer 114 filling the device isolation trench 114T. The finactive region FA may be defined in the substrate 110 by the deviceisolation layer 114.

The hard mask pattern remaining on the sacrificial pattern 210P may beremoved, and then the device isolation layer 114 may be removed by apredetermined thickness by a recess process. In some embodiments, therecess process may be performed until an upper surface of the deviceisolation layer 114 is located at the same level as the upper surface110M of the substrate 110. In some embodiments, the recess process maybe performed until an upper surface of the device isolation layer 114 islocated at a lower level than the upper surface 110M of the substrate110, such that a portion of a sidewall of the fin active region FA maybe exposed.

FIGS. 10A and 10B, the dummy gate structure DG may be formed on thesacrificial pattern 210P and the device isolation layer 114. The dummygate structure DG may include a dummy gate insulation layer DGI, a dummygate line DGL, and a dummy gate capping layer DGC.

For example, the dummy gate line DGL may be formed of polysilicon. Thedummy gate capping layer DGC may be formed of silicon nitride. The dummygate insulation layer DGI may be formed of a material having an etchselectivity with respect to the dummy gate line DGL and may be formedof, for example, one of thermal oxide, silicon oxide, and siliconnitride.

The dummy gate insulation layer DGI may have a sidewall DGI_OSprotruding outward from a sidewall of the dummy gate structure DG. Forexample, when a height of the dummy gate structure DG is relativelyhigh, a portion of the dummy gate insulation layer DGI may remainwithout being removed under an etching environment, such that thesidewall DGI_OS of the dummy gate insulation layer DGI may protrudeoutward from the sidewall of the dummy gate line DGL.

Referring to FIG. 11, an additional etching process for removing aportion of the sidewall DGI_OS of the dummy gate insulation layer DGImay be performed, such that the dummy gate insulation layer DGI may havea recessed sidewall DGI_IS. The recessed sidewall DGI_IS of the dummygate insulation layer DGI may be a portion recessed inward from thesidewall of the dummy gate line DGL.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first spacer layer 132L, the second spacerlayer 134L, and the cover spacer layer 136L may be sequentially formedon the dummy gate structure DG. For example, the first spacer layer132L, the second spacer layer 134L may be formed of silicon nitride orsilicon oxynitride, and the cover spacer layer 136L may be formed ofsilicon oxide. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The first spacer layer 132L may be conformally formed on the recessedsidewall DGI_OS of the dummy gate insulation layer DGI. Thus, a portionof the first spacer layer 132L contacting the recess sidewall DGI_IS ofthe dummy gate insulation layer DGI may correspond to the protrusion132P of the first spacer 132 shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 13, an anisotropic etching process may be performed onthe first spacer layer 132L, the second spacer layer 134L, and the coverspacer layer 136L to form the spacer structure 130 on each of oppositesidewalls of the dummy gate structure DG.

In the anisotropic etching process, the cover spacer layer 136L on anupper surface of the dummy gate structure DG and an upper surface of thesacrificial pattern 210P may also be removed. The spacer structure 130may include the first spacer 132 and the second spacer 134 that aresequentially disposed on each of the sidewalls of the dummy gatestructure DG. A bottom surface of the second spacer 134 may be coveredby the first spacer 132. As shown in FIG. 13, the cover spacer layer136L may be completely removed, and thus a sidewall of the second spacer134 may not be covered by the cover spacer layer 136L. However, in someembodiments, a portion of the cover spacer layer 136L may remain on aportion of the sidewall of the second spacer 134. In this case, anadditional etching process may be further performed to remove the coverspacer layer 136L. In some embodiments, the additional etching processfor removing the cover spacer layer 136 may not be performed, and theremaining portion of the cover spacer layer 136L may be removed in asubsequent process for forming the recess region RS1.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, portions of the sacrificial pattern 210Pand the substrate 110 at opposite sides of the dummy gate structure DGand the spacer structure 130 may etched to form the recess region RS1 ateach of the opposite sides of the dummy gate structure DG. As the recessregion RS1 is formed, the sacrificial pattern 210P may be separated intoa plurality of semiconductor patterns NS. For example, the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns NS may include the first, second, and thirdsemiconductor patterns NS1, NS2, and NS3 spaced apart from each other bythe sacrificial layers 210.

In some embodiments, in the process of forming the recess region RS1,the uppermost semiconductor pattern NS overlapped with the spacerstructure 130 may not be removed (or a portion of the thirdsemiconductor pattern NS3 may not be removed, but the othersemiconductor pattern NS (e.g., the second semiconductor pattern NS2 orthe first semiconductor pattern NS1) overlapped with the spacerstructure 130 may be removed). A width of an intermediate portion of therecess region RS1 may greater than a width of an upper portion of therecess region RS1. The plurality of sacrificial layers 210 may include atail portion 210TL overlapped with the spacer structure 130. Theplurality of semiconductor patterns NS may include the tail portion (seee.g., NSTL of FIG. 4) overlapped with the spacer structure 130, similarto the tail portion 210TL of the plurality of sacrificial layers 210.

As described above, since, in the formation process of the spacerstructure 130, the surface of the second spacer layer 134L is covered bythe cover spacer layer 136L, the spacer structure 130 remaining afterthe anisotropic etching process may have a relatively great width d11 inthe first direction X. For example, when the width d11 of the spacerstructure 130 in the first direction X is relatively great, in theformation process of the recess region RS1, portions of the sacrificiallayers 210 adjacent to the spacer structure 130 may be less exposed tothe etching environment, and thus the tail portion 210TL of each of thesacrificial layers 210 may be formed. In addition, since the firstspacer 132 includes the protrusion 132P, a spacing distance between therecess region RS1 and the dummy gate structure DG may be relativelyincreased.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the first semiconductor layer 142, thesecond semiconductor layer 144, the third semiconductor layer 146, andthe fourth semiconductor layer 148 may be sequentially formed to formthe source/drain region 140. For example, the first to fourthsemiconductor layers 142, 144, 146, and 148 may be formed by epitaxiallygrowing a semiconductor material from the plurality of semiconductorpatterns NS, the sacrificial layers 210, and the substrate 110 exposedon an inner surface of the recess region RS1. The first to fourthsemiconductor layers 142, 144, 146, and 148 may include at least one ofa Si layer, a SiC layer, a SiGe layer, and a SiP layer that areepitaxially grown.

Thereafter, the gate insulation liner 152 and the inter-gate insulationlayer 154 may be sequentially formed on the sidewall of the spacerstructure 130, the source/drain region 140, and the device isolationlayer 114. Upper portions of the dummy gate structure DG, the gateinsulation liner 152, and the inter-gate insulation layer 154 may beplanarized to remove the dummy gate capping layer DGC of the dummy gatestructure DG, such that an upper surface of the dummy gate line DGL maybe exposed.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the dummy gate line DGL and the dummygate insulation layer DGI exposed by the inter-gate insulation layer 154may be removed to form a gate space GS.

Thereafter, the plurality of sacrificial layers 210 remaining on the finactive region FA may be removed through the gate space GS to expose theplurality of semiconductor patterns NS and a portion of an upper surfaceof the fin active region FA. Accordingly, a sub gate space GSS may beformed between each of the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS andbetween a lowermost one of the plurality of semiconductor patterns NSand the fin active region FA. The removal process of the plurality ofsacrificial layers 210 may be performed by a wet etching process using adifference in an etch selectivity between the plurality of sacrificiallayers 210 and the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS.

As described above, since the width d11 of the spacer structure 130 inthe first direction X is relatively great and the first spacer 132includes the protrusion 132P, in the removal process of the dummy gateline DGL, the upper surface of the source/drain region 140 may not beexposed. For example, when a spacing distance between the source/drainregion 140 and the dummy gate line DGL is relatively small, in theremoval process of the dummy gate line DGL, an edge portion of thesource/drain region 140 may also be exposed to the etching environment.Thus, a process failure in which the source/drain region 140 may beetched or a gate electrode material may be filled in the removed regionof the source/drain region 140 may be generated. However, since thewidth d11 of the spacer structure 130 in the first direction X isrelatively great and the first spacer 132 includes the protrusion 132P,the process defect may not be generated in the removal process of thedummy gate line DGL.

Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, the gate insulation layer 128 may beformed on inner surfaces of the gate space GS and the sub gate spaceGSS. The gate electrode 120 may be formed on the gate insulation layer128 to fill the gate space GS and the sub gate space GSS. For example,after a work function conductive layer is conformally formed on theinner surfaces of the gate space GS and the sub gate space GSS, a buriedconductive layer may be formed on the work function conductive layer tofill the gate space GS and the sub gate space GSS. Thereafter, an upperportion of the buried conductive layer may be planarized until an uppersurface of the inter-gate insulation layer 154 is exposed, such that thegate electrode 120 may be formed. In some embodiments, the work functionconductive layer may be formed of Al, Cu, Ti, Ta, W, Mo, TaN, NiSi,CoSi, TiN, WN, TiAl, TiAlC, TiAlN, TaCN, TaC, TaSiN, or a combinationthereof. The buried conductive layer may be formed of Al, Cu, Ti, Ta, W,Mo, TaN, NiSi, CoSi, TiN, WN, TiAl, TiAlC, TiAlN, TaCN, TaC, TaSiN, or acombination thereof.

Referring again to FIG. 2, after the upper insulation layer 162 isformed and then a contact hole 166H penetrating the upper insulationlayer 162 is formed, the contact hole 166H may be filled with aconductive material to form the contact plug 166.

According to the aforementioned method of manufacturing the integratedcircuit 100, as the second spacer layer 134L is covered by the coverspacer layer 136L in the formation process of the spacer structure 130,the width d11 of the spacer structure 130 in the first direction X maybe relatively great. In addition, as the etching process for forming therecess sidewall DGI_IS of the dummy gate insulation layer DGI isperformed, the first spacer 132 may include the protrusion 132P. Thus,since the spacing distance between the source/drain region 140 and thedummy gate structure DG is relatively increased, the upper surface ofthe source/drain region 140 may not exposed by the gate space GS. Theexposure and removal of the source/drain region 140 may not occur in theaforementioned removal process of the dummy gate line DGL.

FIGS. 18, 19A, and 19B are cross-sectional views illustrating a methodof manufacturing an integrated circuit according to example embodiments.FIGS. 18 and 19A are cross-sectional views taken along line A1-A1′ ofFIG. 1. FIG. 19B is a horizontal sectional view at a first verticallevel LV1 of FIG. 19A.

Referring to FIG. 18, the first spacer layer 132L, the second spacerlayer 134L, and a cover spacer layer 136LA may be sequentially formed onan upper surface and sidewalls of the dummy gate structure DG. The coverspacer layer 136LA may have a thickness that is relatively great.

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, an anisotropic etching process may beperformed on the first spacer layer 132L, the second spacer layer 134L,and the cover spacer layer 136LA to form a spacer structure 130A. In theanisotropic etching process, the second spacer 134A may be formed toinclude the lateral extension 134W extending in the horizontaldirection.

As shown in FIG. 19A, the cover spacer layer 136LA may be completelyremoved, such that the sidewall of the second spacer 134A may not becovered. However, in some embodiments, a portion of the cover spacerlayer 136LA may remain on at least a portion of the sidewall of thesecond spacer 134A. In this case, an additional etching process may beperformed to remove the cover spacer layer 136LA. In some embodiments,the additional etching process for removing the cover spacer layer 136LAmay not be performed, and the remaining portion of the cover spacerlayer 136LA may also be removed in a subsequent process for forming arecess region RS1A.

Thereafter, portions of the sacrificial pattern 210P and the substrate110 at opposite sides of the dummy gate structure DG and the spacerstructure 130A may be etched to form the recess region RS1A at each ofthe opposite sides of the dummy gate structure DG.

As described above, in the formation process of the spacer structure130A, as the second spacer layer 134L is covered by the relatively thickcover spacer layer 136LA, the spacer structure 130A remaining in theanisotropic etching process may have a relatively great width d12 in thefirst direction X. For example, when the width d12 of the spacerstructure 130A in the first direction X is relatively great, in theformation process of the recess region RS1A, portions of the sacrificiallayers 210 adjacent to the spacer structure 130A may not be less exposedto the etching environment. Thus, the tail portion 210TL of each of thesacrificial layers 210 may be formed.

Thereafter, the processes described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 17Bmay be performed to form an integrated circuit 100A.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit according to example embodiments.

First, the process described with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, may beperformed. That is, the dummy gate line DGL and the dummy gateinsulation layer DGI that are exposed by the inter-gate insulation layer154 may be removed to form the gate space GS, and the sacrificial layers210 exposed through the gate space GS may be removed to form the subgate space GSS between each of the plurality of semiconductor patternsNS and between the lowermost semiconductor pattern NS and the fin activeregion FS. At that time, the first spacer 132 may include the protrusion132P at the bottom portion thereof, and thus, in the removal process ofthe dummy gate line DGL, a relatively great spacing distance may besecured between the source/drain region 140 and the gate space GS.

Referring to FIG. 20, a portion of a bottom portion of the first spacer132 exposed in the gate space GS may be removed. Thus, a width of abottom portion of the gate space GS may be greater than a width of anintermediate portion of the gate space GS.

Referring to FIG. 21, the gate insulation layer 128 and the gateelectrode 120 may be formed on inner surfaces of the gate space GS andthe sub gate space GSS. The main gate part 120MB may be formed toinclude the protrusion (see 120MP of FIG. 6) filling an edge of thebottom portion of the gate space GS.

According to the aforementioned method, in the removal process of thedummy gate structure DG, since the relatively great spacing distance isobtained between the dummy gate structure DG and the source/drain region140, the source/drain region 140 may not be exposed to an etchenvironment in the removal process of the dummy gate structure DG.

FIGS. 22, 23, and 24 are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 22, in the structure in which the recess region RS1 isformed, portions of the sacrificial layers 210 exposed in the recessregion RS1 may be removed by an isotropic etching process to form anindent region RSE between each of the plurality of semiconductorpatterns NS. In some embodiments, a wet etching process using adifference in the etch selectivity between the plurality of sacrificiallayers 210 and the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS may beperformed to form the indent region RSE. For example, in the wet etchingprocess, the sacrificial layers 210 including SiGe may be more rapidlyetched than the plurality of semiconductor patterns NS including Si,thus forming the indent region RSE.

Referring to FIG. 23, an inner spacer layer 172L may be conformallyformed on an upper surface of the dummy gate structure DG, a sidewall ofthe spacer structure 130, an inner surface of the recess region RS1, andan inner surface of the indent region RSE. The inner spacer layer 172Lmay be formed to a sufficient thickness to fill the indent region RSE.

Referring to FIG. 24, an anisotropic etching process may be performed onthe inner spacer layer 172L, such that an inner spacer 172 may remain inthe indent region RSE. In the anisotropic etching process, the innerspacer layer 172L on the dummy gate structure DG and the sidewall of thespacer structure 130, and in the recess region RS1 may be removed.

Thereafter, the process described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 17B maybe performed to form an integrated circuit 100C.

While example embodiments have been shown and described, it will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes inform and details may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention as set forth by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit comprising: a substrate; afin active region protruding from the substrate and extending in a firstdirection; a plurality of semiconductor patterns disposed on an uppersurface of the fin active region; a gate electrode surrounding theplurality of semiconductor patterns and extending in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction, the gate electrode including amain gate part and a plurality of sub gate parts, the main gate partbeing disposed on an uppermost one of the plurality of semiconductorpatterns, each of the plurality of sub gate parts being disposed betweentwo corresponding patterns among the plurality of semiconductorpatterns; a spacer structure disposed on a sidewall of the main gatepart; and a source/drain region disposed at a side of the gate electrodeand connected to the plurality of semiconductor patterns, thesource/drain region contacting a bottom surface of the spacer structure,wherein an entirety of a top surface of the uppermost semiconductorpattern has a first width in the first direction, and an entirety of abottom surface of the uppermost semiconductor pattern has a second widthsmaller than the first width in the first direction, such that theuppermost semiconductor pattern has an inverted trapezoidalcross-section, and wherein the main gate part includes a bottom portionhaving a sloped sidewall.
 2. The integrated circuit according to claim1, wherein a bottom surface of the bottom portion of the main gate parthas a third width in the first direction, and an intermediate portion ofthe main gate part has a fourth width different from the third width inthe first direction.
 3. The integrated circuit according to claim 2,wherein the third width is smaller than the first width.
 4. Theintegrated circuit according to claim 2, wherein the fourth width issmaller than the third width in the first direction.
 5. The integratedcircuit according to claim 1, wherein: the source/drain region contactsa bottommost surface of the spacer structure, and the sloped sidewall ofthe main gate part is vertically overlapped with at least a portion ofthe spacer structure, such that at least a portion of the bottommostsurface of the spacer structure is under the sloped sidewall of the maingate part.
 6. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein: thespacer structure includes a first spacer and a second spacersequentially disposed on the sidewall of the main gate part, and atleast a portion of the first spacer has a triangular cross-section thatfills a space defined by the sloped sidewall of the main gate part andan upper surface of the uppermost semiconductor pattern.
 7. Theintegrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein the uppermostsemiconductor pattern has a pair of sloped sidewalls, the source/drainregion contacting at least one of the pair of sloped sidewalls, and theuppermost semiconductor pattern includes a tail portion below the spacerstructure.
 8. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein thesource/drain region includes a first semiconductor layer, a secondsemiconductor layer disposed on a first portion of the firstsemiconductor layer, and a third semiconductor layer disposed on asecond portion of the first semiconductor layer and the secondsemiconductor layer, and the first semiconductor layer and the thirdsemiconductor layer contact the bottom surface of the spacer structure.9. The integrated circuit according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surfaceof the bottom portion of the main gate part is above the top surface ofthe uppermost semiconductor pattern.
 10. The integrated circuitaccording to claim 1, wherein the spacer structure includes a firstspacer and a second spacer that are sequentially disposed on thesidewall of the main gate part, and the second spacer includes a lateralextension that extends outward from a sidewall of the first spacer. 11.The integrated circuit according to claim 10, wherein the uppermostsemiconductor pattern includes a tail portion vertically overlapped withthe lateral extension.
 12. The integrated circuit according to claim 1,further comprising an inner spacer between each of the plurality of subgate parts and the source/drain region.
 13. An integrated circuitcomprising: a substrate; a fin active region protruding from thesubstrate and extending in a first direction; a plurality ofsemiconductor patterns disposed on an upper surface of the fin activeregion; a gate electrode surrounding the plurality of semiconductorpatterns and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection, the gate electrode including a main gate part and a pluralityof sub gate parts, the main gate part being disposed on an uppermost oneof the plurality of semiconductor patterns, each of the plurality of subgate parts being disposed between two corresponding patterns among theplurality of semiconductor patterns; a spacer structure disposed on asidewall of the main gate part; and a source/drain region disposed at aside of the gate electrode, and connected to the plurality ofsemiconductor patterns, the source/drain region contacting a bottomsurface of the spacer structure, wherein an entirety of a top surface ofthe uppermost semiconductor pattern has a first width in the firstdirection, and an entirety of a bottom surface of the uppermostsemiconductor pattern has a second width smaller than the first width inthe first direction, such that the uppermost semiconductor pattern hasan inverted trapezoidal cross-section, and wherein a bottom portion ofthe main gate part has a third width in the first direction, and anintermediate portion of the main gate part has a fourth width differentfrom the third width in first direction.
 14. The integrated circuitaccording to claim 13, wherein the bottom portion of the main gate parthas a sloped sidewall, the uppermost semiconductor pattern has a pair ofsloped sidewalls, and each of the pair of sidewalls of the uppermostsemiconductor pattern projects outward with respect to the slopedsidewall of the bottom portion of the main gate part.
 15. The integratedcircuit according to claim 14, wherein the uppermost semiconductorpattern includes a tail portion adjacent to the source/drain region ateach of opposite edge portions of the uppermost semiconductor pattern,and an edge of the tail portion is spaced apart from the sloped sidewallof the main gate part in the first direction.
 16. An integrated circuitcomprising: a substrate; a fin active region protruding from thesubstrate; a plurality of semiconductor patterns disposed on an uppersurface of the fin active region, each of the plurality of semiconductorpatterns including a channel region; a gate electrode surrounding theplurality of semiconductor patterns, and including a main gate part anda plurality of sub gate parts, the main gate part being disposed on anuppermost one of the plurality of semiconductor patterns, each of theplurality of sub gate parts being disposed between two correspondingpatterns among the plurality of semiconductor patterns; a gateinsulation layer surrounding the main gate part and each of theplurality of sub gate parts; a spacer structure disposed on a sidewallof the main gate part, the gate insulation layer being between thesidewall of the main gate part and the spacer structure; and asource/drain region disposed at a side of the gate electrode, andconnected to the plurality of semiconductor patterns, the source/drainregion contacting a bottom surface of the spacer structure, wherein abottom portion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern is wider than atop portion of the uppermost semiconductor pattern, and wherein at leasta portion of a sidewall of the main gate part is sloped, and thesidewall of the main gate part is at least partially verticallyoverlapped with the spacer structure.
 17. The integrated circuitaccording to claim 16, wherein the spacer structure includes a firstspacer and a second spacer that are sequentially disposed on thesidewall of the main gate part, and a bottom portion of the first spaceris disposed on an upper surface of the uppermost semiconductor pattern.18. The integrated circuit according to claim 17, wherein a bottomportion of the main gate part is wider than an intermediate portion ofthe main gate part, and the first spacer includes a protrusion filling aspace defined by the sidewall of the main gate part and the uppersurface of the uppermost semiconductor pattern.
 19. The integratedcircuit according to claim 17, wherein the second spacer includes alateral extension that extends laterally from a sidewall of the firstspacer, and the uppermost semiconductor pattern includes a tail portionat each of opposite edge portions of the uppermost semiconductorpattern, and the lateral extension is at least partially verticallyoverlapped with the tail portion.
 20. The integrated circuit accordingto claim 17, wherein the source/drain region includes a firstsemiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer disposed on the firstsemiconductor layer, and a third semiconductor layer disposed on thefirst semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, and thefirst semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer contact abottom surface of the spacer structure.